Ramp: Some boats were trolling close to shore in approximately 50-100' and catching some fish. These boats rarely caught a limit. Other fishermen went out to 180-250' and caught limits. Most fishermen reported fishing their lures near the surface to about 50' down. No particular lures stood out as catching more fish, but most fishermen used a flasher fly combination. Cohos were a large portion of the reported catch, however some Rainbows were caught as well. The water temperature was 46F.

Piers: Anglers fishing the piers caught some Coho this week. Most of the fish were caught on bottom rigs using alewives. A few Cohos were caught using spoons. The water temperature was 46F.

Shoreline: Very few fish were caught this week on the shoreline and in the harbor. Most of the fish caught were undersize 5-7" rainbows. Anglers were fishing with spoons, crankbaits, and sabiki rigs. The water temperature was 51F.

Racine Co.

Ramps: Most boats that caught limits were fishing at depths of 180-250' and running their lures from near the surface to 50' down. Some boats that fished in shallower water did catch their limit, but most did not. Most boats were using flasher/fly rigs. Cohos were caught the most by anglers, but some did catch a few rainbows. The water temperature was 46F.

Shoreline: No anglers were interviewed this week.

Piers: Anglers fishing the south pier had the most success this week using bottom rigs or bobbers, and alewives or shrimp as bait. Cohos made up most of the reported catches, but some Browns were also caught. The water temperature was 46F.

Milwaukee Co.

Milwaukee North: The strong winds and winter like weather over the past 4-5 weeks finally came to an end. Daytime temperatures were in the 60’s and 70’s with light winds on the weekend. Fishing pressure on the shoreline increased with the improved weather and water conditions. The water along the lakefront was clear on the weekend with visibility over 10 feet. The surface water temperature on the lake side of McKinley Pier increased from 46F last week to 56F on Sunday (May 22). Nice catches of coho, a few whitefish, and chinook salmon were caught on McKinley Pier. One angler landed 5 coho and a whitefish while bottom fishing with alewives on Tuesday (May 17). Anglers casting spoons and crankbaits landed a few coho as well. 20-25 anglers were on the pier for the evening bite on Thursday (May 18). Over 30 anglers were on the pier for the morning bite on Sunday. The alewives caught by anglers on McKinley Pier are large this year (up to 7.5” long). Large numbers of alewives were seen along the entire length of the pier on Saturday afternoon. A large number of alewives were stacked up in McKinley Marina during the week as well. Largemouth bass and brown trout were chasing the bait along the rocky shoreline at the old Coast Guard station. One angler caught and released 4-5 largemouth bass during the week while casting paddle tail minnows by the Coast Guard station. A large, thick cloud of baitfish was stacked up in the harbor behind Summerfest over the weekend. Anglers fishing in the harbor with alewives reported that they weren’t catching any trout and salmon because there was too much food in the water. Activity at the McKinley and Riverfront ramps increased. 59 boat trailers were counted at the McKinley parking lot on Sunday morning (May 22). A large number of coho, and a few kings, rainbows, and lake trout were landed in 160-200 feet of water from the McKinley harbor to Fox Point over the weekend. The majority of coho were taken with flashers and flies. Some of the boats reported good luck landing kings, rainbows, and lake trout on spoons, 75 feet down. Boats that trolled in 40-60 feet of water on the weekend averaged 1-2 fish per boat, according to interviews at the ramp. Boats that trolled in 160-200 feet of water averaged 8-15 fish per boat. One of the charter boats came in with 16 coho, 2 rainbows, one lake trout, and two pink salmon on Saturday.

Milwaukee South: Fishing pressure on the shoreline increased slightly as the strong winds along the lakefront settled down towards the end of the week. The water along the lakefront was relatively clear on the weekend. Large numbers of alewives were seen at most of the fishing sites from Jones Island south to the Oak Creek Power Plant fishing pier. 2-3 anglers on average fished below the Hoan Bridge (near Jones Island) during the week. The overall catch rate was low but a couple of anglers caught and released a few brown trout (3-5 pounds) while casting paddle tail minnows. Large carp were seen in the water along the seawall under the Hoan Bridge. Anglers fishing with nightcrawlers and wax worms on Cupertino Pier caught and released undersize brown trout and gobies. Anglers casting cleos and paddle tail minnows by the Coast Guard station had follow ups from small 10” brown trout and a 6-7 pound brown on Friday. A large number of alewives were stacked up at the mouth of the Oak Creek on the Grant Park Shoreline. Anglers casting silver kastmasters in the current at the mouth of the creek lost 2 large fish during the creel interview on Saturday evening (May 21). Only 1-3 anglers on average were seen on the Grant Park shoreline on the weekend. A few trout and salmon are being caught on the lake side of the Oak Creek Power Plant fishing but the catch rate has been spotty. The flow rate of the water in the discharge chute has been low the majority of the time over the past few weeks. The catch rate for trout and salmon on the pier decreases when the flow rate is low. A large number of sheepshead (freshwater drum), a few carp, and gizzard shad were in the discharge chute during the week. Anglers targeting the sheepshead had good luck catching and releasing 5-7 pounders while casting smelt gulp, fat head minnows, and paddle tail minnows. 6-12 anglers on average were seen on the power plant pier on the weekend. Anglers targeting panfish with red worms and nightcrawlers on the Bender Park fishing pier reported no fish landed during the week. Activity at the Bender and South Shore ramps increased with the stretch of calm, stable weather. Over 25 boat trailers were seen in the Bender Park parking lot Saturday morning (May 21). Nice catches of coho (up to 6 pounds), brown trout (2-7 pounds), and 3 chinook (up to 17 pounds) were landed at the Bender ramp on Saturday. Most of the Bender ramp boats were trolling in 28-50 feet of water with down riggers and dipsy divers with long leads. One boat trolled in 20 feet of water with peanut flies, 13 feet down. The Bender boats reported good luck using green/pearl and blue/pearl magnum spoons and flasher & flies. One boat (one angler) caught 4 large brown trout (13-17 pounds) in 30 feet of water Sunday morning while long lining shad raps, 4-5 feet down, straight out from the Oak Creek Power Plant. One boat (two anglers) out of South Shore landed 4 coho and one king (8-10 pounds) while trolling in 110 feet of water with orange dodgers and blue/green peanut flies on Friday (May 20). The king was caught on a wonderbread spoon on a downrigger. The anglers trolled at 2.5 to 3.0 miles per hour.

Ozaukee Co.

There are still many alewives all around the lakeshore this week; some anglers targeting them to use as bait fish were successful near the power plant and Rotary park. Boating pressure was exremely high all weekend. Boat anglers were very successful with both cohos and king salmon as well as occasional rainbow and lake trout. Many boats hit their catch limits in just a few hours, with early morning being the most successful. Flasher flies, peanut flies of any color, or spoons were the baits of choice and most boats were between 100-160 ft. of water. An occasional chinook and lake trout were also caught. The Army Corps of Engineers has started repairs on the breakwall of the north pier in Port Washington, and access to the pier is prohibited. Construction is projected to last until July 3rd.

Sheboygan Co.

Many alewives remain around the lakeshore in Sheboygan, especially by South pier. The water has been calm and very clear. A fair number of anglers fished from the piers over the weekend, but had low success. Boat anglers had more success, catching mostly coho salmon. One lake trout, two rainbow trout, and two king salmon were also caught. Some reported more success the further south they went.

Northern Lake Michigan Fishing Report: May 25, 2016

Manitowoc Co.

Fishing has started picking up out of Manitowoc and Two Rivers harbors in the last week with the warm weather. Water temperatures are ranging from the mid 40’s to mid 50’s. Anglers are finding some rainbows over 100 feet of water, including a few over 10 pounds. A few Chinook and Coho salmon have also been caught mixed in with the rainbows.

Kewaunee Co.

Kewaunee: Fishing pressure still remains relatively low even with the warmer air temperatures and almost perfect, no wind lake conditions. Anglers out of the Kewaunee ramp are reporting water surface temperatures to be 47 degrees. A few rainbow trout were caught Sunday afternoon with spoons in about 200 feet of water.

Fishing picked up on Sunday, and Smallmouth Bass of all sizes were being caught throughout Door County. Fishing pressure continues to increase as people take advantage of the nice weather.

Sturgeon Bay: Walleye anglers launching at the Stone Quarry have had some luck trolling Lindy crank baits along the shoreline North towards Murphy Park, with bycatches of Whitefish and Northern Pike also being reported. Stone Quarry shore anglers fishing for Smallmouth Bass struggled this past week, but a handful of nice fish were being caught. Boats and shore anglers targeting Walleyes within Sturgeon Bay reported the most activity at dusk and throughout the night along the edge of the shipping channel. Fishing from the Murphy Park pier, anglers reported catching a few Smallmouth Bass, with action picking up throughout the weekend. Most fish were caught using either night crawlers or fathead minnows under a bobber.

Northern Door: As fishing pressure remains high in Rowleys Bay, reports of a tough Smallmouth Bass bite became frequent this past week, but anglers were still catching some large fish. Anglers wading the shorelines and shallow bays reported seeing many Smallmouth Bass on beds within the vegetation. Boats have been congregating near the Mink River where anglers were finding more aggressive Smallmouth Bass, along with an occasional Northern Pike. Sister Bay had relatively low fishing pressure this past week, but anglers reported a notable increase of Smallmouth Bass in 10-15 feet of water late in the week. Many Smallmouth Bass anglers launching at Peninsula State Park have been concentrating their efforts within the small bays South of Eagle Bluff Lighthouse. In Egg Harbor, Smallmouth Bass reports have been infrequent, but anglers are catching smaller fish from the piers on night crawlers. Although calm conditions made the Smallmouth Bass finicky early this weekend, boat anglers were finding aggressive fish in deeper water (8-15 feet).

Green Bay Fishing Report: May 25, 2016

Brown Co.

Suamico: Fishing pressure was once again very high at the Suamico boat launch. The talk was that fishing had been tough with the inconsistent weather. Water temperature was in the high 50’s and water clarity was about 4 ft.

Long Tail Point: No interviews or trailers counted.

Duck Creek: One interview was taken at Duck Creek from an angler that was going after common carp and freshwater drum. He had no success with either species but did get bit by a northern pike. This was the only interview taken.

Fox River: Fishing pressure was high with a break in the weather. Most anglers were targeting “anything that will bite” and having success with the freshwater drum and the white bass. A few anglers were catching the occasional smallmouth bass and walleye, and even a few channel catfish.

Green Bay Ramps: Of the anglers heading out on the Bay from the Metro Launch targeting walleyes, they were finding it very difficult to get any bites. The anglers were primarily trolling and catching the occational bycatch of freshwater drum. Water temperatures were in the high 50’s and water clarity was less than 3ft.

Bay Shore Park: Walleye anglers launching onto Green Bay from Bayshore Park were marking large numbers of fish this week. Getting them to bite was a bit more challenging. Most boaters are using crank baits with a lesser percentage trying crawler harnesses. Going North or South seemed to make little difference on catch rates. Incidental fish landed included freshwater drum, round goby, channel catfish, white sucker and northern pike. A large number of rough fish could be seen around the outside of Bayshore Park’s breakwater. Inside the breakwater a handful of 16-20 inch northern pike were also observed. Through most of the week nearshore water clarity was about 3-5 feet. Water temperatures were in the upper 50s to lower 60s. Fishing pressure was very high.

Little Sturgeon Bay: The majority of anglers launching onto Little Sturgeon Bay were looking for smallmouth bass. There was a wide range of catch rates with highs of 30-plus fish. Many successful anglers were casting tubes. Extremely clear and still water led daytime walleye anglers to have a tough time catching fish. Most were trolling crank baits. Incidental catches included common carp, freshwater drum, white bass, musky and northern pike. Several individuals wading out onto Little Sturgeon Bay were catching high numbers of smallmouth bass. Most were using plastics lures and wading in from the East shore. Size of smallmouth measured from wading anglers was 16.6 to 18.7 inches and averaged 17.3 inches. Water temperatures were in the high 50’s to low 60’s. Water clarity was extremely high.

Sawyer Harbor: Smallmouth bass anglers on Sawyer Harbor were catching good numbers of fish. Successful boats were able to land 20 to 30 fish. Plastics and minnows both caught smallmouth. Side catches of rock bass and round goby were also caught.

Oconto Co.

Warmer weather has arrived, and even though it has been a bit windy fishing pressure has been moderate to high. Water temperatures on the Bay are in the low to mid 50's. Anglers at the Stiles Dam on the Oconto River are enjoying success catching panfish (mainly bluegill) using slip bobbers fishing close to the Dam and the pilings just down river. Smallmouth and even the occasional walleye are being caught at the Dam as well. Soft plastics, spinners, and stick baits along with large minnows have been producing some very nice fish. The walleye bite out of the Pensaukee Boat Launch has been good to very good this past week with fish being caught in 12 to 20 feet of water trolling with stick baits, and crawler/harness. Pike, smallmouth, and some perch are being caught at the boat landings at Oconto Breakwater Park and Oconto Park II. Walleye fishing has been difficult from Oconto Park II north.

Geano's Beach: No interviews, two trailers counted.

Marinette Co.

Warmer weather has arrived, and even though it has been a bit windy fishing pressure has been moderate to high. Water temperatures on the Bay are in the low to mid 50's. Smallmouth bass are being caught below the Dam at Peshtigo using soft plastics and crank baits; anglers report catching catfish at the Peshtigo River mouth fishing crawlers on bottom. Casting spoons on the Peshtigo River are also producing some northern pike. Anglers on the Menominee River are catching walleye trolling with stick baits from the tip of Stephenson Island down to the mouth. Musky are also being caught around Boom Island, the Docks at Nest Egg Marina and around Stephenson Island. Shore anglers report catching a few walleye by the Hattie Street Dam using jigs and minnows. Sheepshead, catfish and a few perch are also being caught from the Fishermen's platforms at the Mystery Ship Launch.